Oilers News

BLOG: Yamamoto decision delayed

Decision regarding Oilers rookie could extend past the 10-game mark

EDMONTON, AB - The decision regarding Oilers rookie Kailer Yamamoto still looms as the club nears the 10-game mark.

Yamamoto has only played in seven games this season, recording three assists.

"There's a chance that can happen," said Oilers Head Coach Todd McLellan when asked if Yamamoto would be with the team past 10 games. "Thresholds are much more of the business side of the game. The cap, the management, the contracts, the future. We have to coach the team and we're going to try to put the guys on the ice that give us the best chance of winning."

Yamamoto's been deployed in the top six when he's played, and McLellan said in the past that the 2017 first rounder would have to play in that range in order to be effective.

"If Yamo is that guy and continues to be that guy, then others are going to have to worry about thresholds or we'll have to make decisions," said McLellan.